In 2014 we hit like a 30 year low in HRs. Most point to the removal of steroids causing these low HR totals. Now we have record highs and Manford points to players all trying to hit homeruns now. The balls are juiced. It's not some secret, many players and others have stated this. It just seems no one cares. Why punish an entire generation for steroids, citing their impact to historical records, but accept juiced balls?

I know popularity is way down nationally and maybe that's why everyone accepts it. Home runs are exciting.

It will be accepted now, just like steroids were. But once ratings correct themselves and one of the HR hitters runs afoul of the media, they'll be back to shunning criticizing, and putting an asterisk next to the numbers.

I may be in the minority, but I dig small ball. Nothing is more exciting than watching the chess match between base runners and pitchers when it comes to stealing 3rd or the squeeze...or even stealing home. Homers are nice every now and then, but if I'm watching a game and it's just home run after home run, I get bored really quick. And that's nothing against Stanton. I really do enjoy watching him at the plate.

Situational hitting has definitely taken a back seat this season. That's very noticeable when you watch the Rays. However, it's the teams that score in this way rather than the long ball that are having the most success in the league right now (see: Red Sox and Indians, for example, rank in the bottom half of total team HRs).

Still, the most beautiful thing to watch in baseball (for me) is a well executed double play. Or anything performed by Kiermaier in the field.

As a child I was blessed to have parents that invested in my lifelong love of sports. Every summer when school let out we'd travel from Wesley Chapel to Atlanta to watch the heyday of Braves baseball. I have fond memories of watching Glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux have their way with opposing lineups; and seeing the Crime Dog and Chipper Jones win out at the plate. Good times, indeed.

Side note: I love watching a good knuckleballer on the mound. Not so much at the stadium; but on TV.....man I tell ya - the mind games that happen every at bat really deepen my appreciation of the game.

I’m actually pretty happy that this is the series. Yankees came back and put on one hell of a fight with the ‘Stros. But in the end, Astros vs Dodgers is great for baseball. I wouldn’t mind seeing either team win it. Love Kershaw. Beltran needs a ring. Keuchel is my favorite pitcher in baseball (if only for the beard and that I got to meet him when he played for the Valley Cats in New York and that he’s actually a pretty awesome dude). Both teams are exciting to watch. Rooting more for the Astros here, but this should be a good series.